City Council Salaries

The Oakland City Charter requires the Public Ethics Commission to adjust the salary for City Councilmember each year according to the increase in the Consumer Price Index for the preceding year. The Commission may authorize an additional increase beyond the required adjustment, up to a total maximum increase of 5 percent.

Posted: August 31st, 2018 3:44 PM

Last Updated: January 20th, 2021 8:00 PM

Prior to June 2014, Councilmembers were authorized to earn $79,638.78 annually. However, because Councilmembers have declined many of the Commission's authorized increases over the past several years, most Councilmembers actually received $74,316.59 or less annually.

In July 2014, the City Council passed a resolution by a vote of 6-0 to waive the approved salary increase and cap the council at $76, 100 for the fiscal year 2014-15.

In February 2016, the PEC approved the mandated salary increase of 4.7 percent for a total approved annual salary of $85,382.97.

For more information, see the staff memorandum to the City Administrator, as well as the Public Ethics Commission's resolution, passed 7-0 at the February 1, 2016 Commission meeting.

Also, see the HR Memo Regarding Councilmember/Compensation

The table below shows salary increases approved by the Commission as required by law since 2004.

Year

PEC Authorized Increase (%)

Salary Amount with Increase ($)

June 2016

4.7 (CPI)

85, 382.97

June 2014

2.4 (CPI)

81,550.11

June 2013

2.4 (CPI)

79,638.78

July 2012

2.1 (CPI)

77,772.25

June 2011

2.8 (CPI)

76,172.62

June 2010

1.7 (CPI)

74,097.88

June 2009

0.8 (CPI)

72,859.28

June 2008

2.9 (CPI)

72,281.04

June 2007

5

70,243.94

July 2006

4

66,899.04

July 2005

2.1 (CPI)

64,326.08

June 2004

5

63,003.94